Andy Weir



Andy WeirAndy Weir signed from Arthurlie in 1957, his shear speed and trickery up the left-wing made him a much feared opponent in the Scottish game. If it wasn’t for a series of appalling injuries he would surely have achieved even greater fame in the game. At international level Andy gained 6 full Scotland caps, a single Scottish League cap and 3 under-21 awards. He won his first Scotland cap in 1959, in a team that contained three ‘Well players: Ian St John, Weir (himself) and Bert McCann. A distinctive feature of Andy’s game was his ability to score direct from corners. Andy rarely lost his temper on the pitch, but ‘Well fans will fondly recall one hilarious incident at Ibrox when in a moment of rashness, Andy clashed with Bobby Shearer. A quick left hook from Andy was totally out of character, and Shearer, one of the hardest men in his day, quickly chased Andy up the wing.

Andy was, in opinion of his fellow Ancell Babes, ‘the pick of the bunch’. He played his first match at Fir Park for the reserve team on Christmas Day 1957 with John Martis, who also made his debut that day as well. They were both quickly promoted to the first team and their careers really took off. Sadly, Andy was severely injured a few years later in a clash of heads with Lewis of Third Lanark, finishing up at deaths door in hospital. He was eventually diagnosed with meningitis. It was no exaggeration to say that he was critically ill – for several days he lay in a coma, and was out of football until late 1961. The injury cast a huge cloud over Fir Park and drew the club together. Unfortunately Andy died in his early fifties, suffering ill health for some years before his death. The VP club had a testimonial year for Andy in 1992, and at the sportsman’s dinner in the civic centre they handed over a very substantial cheque to him, which he gratefully accepted. Tragically, he died within a week of this event.

Name:
Andrew Best Weir
Height:
5′ 6″
Weight:
10st
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Paisley
Position:
Left Winger
Nationality:
Scottish

Football Career:

Arthurlie 1957
Motherwell 1957 1968

Well Career:

Apps Goals
League:
200 (2) 44
Scottish Cup:
21 9
League Cup:
49 5
Other:
13 3
Total:
283 (2) 61